Palo Alto , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Depending whom you ask , Chad Russell and Charles Butkus ' invention is either a step forward for the Internet -- or a death knell for free content .

Their AdTrap device intercepts online advertisements before they reach any devices that access your Internet connection , allowing you to surf the Web -- even stream videos -- without those annoying ads .

Their inspiration ? A conversation about the early days of the Internet .

`` It was page , text and pictures -- and that 's it , '' said Russell , 31 .

In other words , there were zero ads . So , Russell and Butkus set out to recreate the past and they came up with AdTrap . The company 's motto is , `` The Internet is yours again . ''

While there are countless software and browser plug-ins that block online advertisements -- many of them free -- they are limited to the individual device or the specific browser .

AdTrap , a white rectangular box that resembles a wireless router and costs $ 139 , intercepts the ads before they reach the laptop , tablet or mobile phone .

Interest and enthusiasm for Russell and Butkus ' idea translated into $ 200,000 , raised through a 30-day Kickstarter crowdsourcing campaign earlier this year . The funds are being used by parent company Bluepoint Security , a mobile antivirus software firm , to manufacture the AdTrap units .

`` I think it speaks to the mindset of people right now of their experience on the Internet , '' Russell said .

AdTrap devices started shipping in August , so it 's still a little early to get a thorough review of the product .

At the company 's modest Palo Alto headquarters , I tested one of the units , which take only a few minutes to set up .

Compared to the various software ad-blockers , Russell said a hardware solution is more effective because it works on every device connected to your network .

The unit sits between the modem and router and it works reasonably well . It was nice to go to YouTube and other websites , click on a video and have it play instantly , ad free .

There are a couple of sites like Hulu , for instance where AdTrap does n't work , but Russell said they 're working on some solutions .

For many users , it 's a huge victory over those annoying advertisements that sometimes follow you around the Web or make you wait 30 seconds before you can watch a video .

`` At some point , it 's gotten a bit much , '' Russell said , referring to online ads .

But these ads also allow websites , including CNN.com , to offer content without charge , and ad-blocking devices like AdTrap could put that business model at risk .

That could spell potential legal trouble for entrepreneurs like Russell and Butkus . They 've already retained a Silicon Valley law firm in case things get thorny with advertisers .

`` We 're not trying to be against all advertisers , '' said Julie Russell , Chad Russell 's mother , who handles finances for AdTrap .

`` We 're trying to make the user have an experience when the Internet first came out and there was n't so much interference . ''

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AdTrap is hardware that blocks Internet ads before they reach your devices

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Most ad blockers are software that has to be installed on each device

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Excitement about the invention led to $ 200,000 raised on a Kickstarter campaign

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The company has retained an attorney in case advertisers sue